Comments on: Duke lacrosse affair: when faculty fan flames

By: David Wilson

David Wilson — Fri, 28 Jul 2006 16:49:34 +0000

I’m not surprised that such a high percentage of the faculty claim to be “experts” on racial and ethnic issues but don’t harken from any hard science. Our society’s approach to these issues is anything but factual, objective or evidence-driven. In fact, it takes the alchemy of the robed classes to steer us away from that.

By: InRussetShadows

InRussetShadows — Fri, 28 Jul 2006 06:51:46 +0000

The concept of arguing that any particular event simply must fit your theory because you are the master of some arcane ribbon of information is completely unconvincing. It reads like an erudite version of the schoolyard taunt, “Yes-huh!”

By: PFM, Ph.D., J.D.

PFM, Ph.D., J.D. — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 12:47:25 +0000

In response to Welll’s question, the answer is that when there IS no evidence in support of one’s argument, racial stereotyping and slander is the last resort.

By: Xmas

Xmas — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 12:47:21 +0000

Welll…

Because any self-describe intellectual usually isn’t.

In the technology world, we call it the “Learn one-thing deeply” career method. Focus on one obscure topic, learn everything about it, and then steer every conversation towards the thing you know the most about. It makes you seem very intelligent and knowledgable and deserving of high pay. But really, you’ve just know this one thing that hardly ever applies to the things you deal with every day.

By: Welll....

Welll.... — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 02:42:04 +0000

Why is it that those who commandeer the title of intellectual so often seem inclined to bully others with their capacity for argument rather than produce solid evidence for their opinions?